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By launching its “Get Help” campaign, Big Bend Community Based Care is reminding people that it is OK to ask for help.(Photo: Big Bend Community Based Care)

Big Bend Community Based Care has launched a new advertising campaign encouraging people to get help if they need it.

Big Bend Community Based Care oversees a wide network of community partners in the fields of mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment and child protective services throughout an 18-county area in Northwest Florida, from Escambia to Madison counties. It uses a trusted network of accredited providers and acts as a centralized source of support and resources for its community partners.

Initially spurred by the trauma of Hurricane Michael and the leadership of first lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell, Big Bend Community Based Care began deploying telehealth portals throughout the region last year. Telehealth portals can facilitate doctor visits, counseling sessions, training meetings and more in a virtual setting that’s compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

“People needed help, and we knew we could no longer do things the way we had been doing them,” said Mike Watkins, CEO of Big Bend Community Based Care. “We needed to deploy new technologies and new ways of thinking in order to continue providing exceptional service in the regions we serve.”

As a result, utilization of telehealth across the region has steadily increased over the last year, allowing residents to receive the care they need on their smartphones or computers. This is especially useful for residents in rural communities who might otherwise have to travel to Tallahassee or Panama City to receive mental health or substance use disorder counseling.

Big Bend Community Based Care had expanded its telehealth capabilities over the last year, which made it uniquely prepared to adapt to a world of social distancing and self-isolation. Since the pandemic began, the agency has continued to help its providers move their medium of care online, so that they can continue treating their patients without interacting in person. This does not replace the benefits of in-person interaction, particularly in mental health counseling and substance use disorder treatment, but telehealth has allowed the agency to seamlessly continue providing care to those who rely on it.

Florida residents can call the agency’s hotline at any time, day or night.(Photo: Big Bend Community Based Care)

As the COVID-19 crisis has impacted every part of individuals’ lives, many in the local community are struggling. Big Bend Community Based Care knows that often people do not know where to go to get help, so it’s bringing the help to them.

By launching its “Get Help” campaign, the agency is reminding people that it is here for them when they need it. Whether people need mental health counseling or substance use disorder treatment, or if they suspect that child abuse has occurred or may occur, the agency is here to connect them to high-quality care within their community.

“It’s extremely important to me that the people we serve know that we are here for them during these unusual and uncertain times,” Watkins said. “Whether they are dealing with the stress of losing their job, homeschooling their children or the uncertainty of when our lives might return to normal, we are here to help.”

Big Bend Community Based Care serves adults and children experiencing mental illness or emotional distress. It also offers substance misuse prevention and treatment, including detoxification and recovery support for adults and minors affected by substance misuse or dependence. Finally, the agency manages child protective services, including family intervention and shelter services, and provides child abuse prevention and mentoring services.

Florida residents can call the agency’s hotline at 1-888-95-GetHelp or 1-888-954-3843 at any time, day or night, and staff a member will help connect them to a provider in their community, regardless of whether they have health insurance.